Lead Engineer for Imaging Technology

Job overview

Make a Real Impact in Cancer Care as a Band 7 Engineer at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

If you are motivated by work that truly matters this is your opportunity to play a vital role in supporting cancer patients throughout their treatment journey by ensuring the reliability and performance of essential medical imaging and radiotherapy equipment. We are seeking a dedicated and skilled engineer to join our team.

You will be a key contributor to the safe and effective delivery of our services, taking responsibility for both planned and corrective maintenance across a diverse portfolio of advanced medical imaging and radiotherapy equipment. Helping to ensure that our clinical teams can deliver world class care every day.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, adaptable professional with engineering knowledge to at least HND level. You will bring strong problem solving abilities, excellent communication skills, and the confidence to work under pressure on complex technical challenges.

Experience with medical devices or quality management systems such as ISO 9001, ISO 13485, or ISO 14971 is highly desirable, though not essential for the right candidate.

If you are driven by purpose, thrive in a collaborative environment, and want to contribute to life changing patient care, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

This role is critical in ensuring the safety, reliability and performance of specialist medical technology used in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Core responsibilities typically include:

Radiology equipment maintenance — Acting as a primary engineering lead for the Radiology department, delivering planned preventative maintenance & timely corrective repairs across a wide range of imaging systems to minimise downtime & support uninterrupted clinical services.

Technical fault investigation — Diagnosing complex equipment issues under time pressure, applying advanced engineering principles to restore functionality & ensure devices remain safe & compliant.

Quality and safety compliance — Working within existing quality frameworks, contributing to documentation, risk assessments & adherence to ISO standards.

Cross departmental support — Providing secondary engineering support to the Radiotherapy department, assisting with maintenance activities on high precision treatment equipment.

Collaborative service delivery — Working closely with clinical, technical & managerial teams to ensure equipment availability, communicate technical findings clearly, & contribute to a responsive, patient centred service.

Continuous improvement — Identifying opportunities to enhance equipment performance, maintenance processes & service efficiency through proactive monitoring & professional development.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• General 1.1 Work as part of multidisciplinary teams to support and develop the clinical radiotherapy and diagnostic radiology services. 1.2 Provide technical advice to clinical and other staff groups as required. 1.3 Work within the framework of the ISO 9001(2015) Radiotherapy Quality System. 1.4 Requirement for working hours to minimize interruption to clinical service, including late shifts, bank holidays and weekends. This involves outside of normal ‘agenda for change’ working hours 1.5 When trained, repair of safety critical complex medical equipment. In depth analysis and diagnostic skills required. Exercise judgement to determine the causes of faults in devices with multiple complex inter-related systems. Data analysis on complex medical equipment required to predict breakdown. 1.6 Involved in commenting on interdepartmental procedures and work instructions and propose changes to current procedures. 1.7 To participate in quality control of the radiotherapy / diagnostic equipment. 1.8 Will be expected to work at any of the Christie sites at short notice. 1.9 Participate on an on-call rota as required. 1.10 Provide technical support for ODN
• Technical Support for Radiology Diagnostic medical equipment 2.1 Carry out repair, calibration and safety testing of highly complex Radiology Diagnostic equipment. Makes decisions to take safety critical equipment out of clinical use. 2.2 The running up and preparation of medical equipment for clinical use and the closing down of equipment on completion of use. 2.3 To carry out and record approved modifications to radiotherapy & diagnostic equipment. 2.4 To maintain proper records of all work carried out on the radiology diagnostic equipment 2.5 Performs regular high precision machine quality control checks, measurements and associated adjustments to fractional mm accuracy. 2.6 Will have to work on radiology and radiotherapy equipment whilst patient is in the treatment room, or on the treatment couch. 2.7 To ensure that all radiotherapy & radiology diagnostic equipment works to manufacturer’s specification. 2.8 To maintain specialist equipment technical records and reports for the organization. 2.9 Provides expert technical and technological support in the delivery of critical care.
• Technical support for radiology diagnostic peripherals 3.1 To provide specialist technical support to X-ray imaging systems, axis lasers and all peripherals used on radiotherapy/radiology equipment. 3.2 The maintenance of all test, measurement and service instruments and equipment including dose measurement instruments. 3.3 To participate in the development and construction of instrumentation and equipment to support the service. 3.4 Will work on R&V solutions and liaise with appropriate manufacturer to maintain clinical uptime 3.5 Will work on any equipment that supports treatment of patients within radiotherapy and diagnostic departments 3.6 Will support work on all IT / estates / radiation treatment peripherals
• Clinical Networking 4.1 To assist in the technical support of clinical IT networks supporting radiotherapy and radiology equipment
• Health and Safety 5.1 Will work daily in potentially hazardous situations with ionizing radiation, including high voltage electricity, heavy equipment and industrial gases in confined spaces with responsibility for safety of self and others.
• Organizational 6.1 Prioritize and organize allocated work in accordance with section policies and competing service demands. Proposes changes to own working practices and procedures. This will involve daily interruptions to own work and others in group. 6.2 To assist with service visits by outside engineers and contractors.
• Teaching, training and research 7.1 Participate in professional development and training of own staff group and others. 7.2 Participate in the research and development 7.3 Will be expected to follow project management arrangements to report on status of projects e.g. gantt charts etc. 7.4 Training of other professionals 7.5 Will be expected to keep abreast of technical developments. Enroll in Continuing Professional Development Programs. Attend suitable seminars and courses as part of personal development and to further the work of the department. 7.6 Assist with management of IPEM training scheme including acting as IPEM Supervisor / Moderator. 7.7 Demonstrates the agreed set of values and accountable for own attitude and behaviour

NOTE

This job description indicates the duties and responsibilities that are appropriate to meet the present needs of the service across the Christie Network. Since from time to time these needs may change, it is necessary to recognise that the post holder must be willing to undertake other and/or different duties appropriate to the grade of the job that may, after discussion, be assigned by the Head of Engineering or his/her deputy.

Overseas applicants should use VISA code 2259/99 Other Health Professional not elsewhere classified.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.